Stat Story: Dean Rueckert's mature skillset, Kiyan Anthony's development and more

November 2, 2023 by Max Feldman

Statistics certainly don't tell the full story, but they’re a big piece of the puzzle in evaluating trajectory. Often times, it’s the most instructive tool in terms of projecting what’s not there yet, but will be in time.

Here, I'll break down to what to make of the promising statistical indicators on four prospects from around the country, along with a few indicators potentially of concern on four different prospects. As with evaluation as a whole, the process is fluid. As the sample size grows, the worrisome indicators can be diminished. All analytics are from Synergy Sports.

TRENDING UP

Through Edwards first two years on the high school scene, we've seen his ability to adapt between settings and bring value regardless of the offensive usage on his plate. In his freshman campaign at Duncanville (TX), Anthony Black and Ron Holland along with a variety of future D1 prospects took center stage in their 35-1 season but Edwards routinely provided a boost off the bench as a perimeter defender and transition scorer. But through the spring and summer's, he showed much more in his game. Through 30 combined games in his last two AAU campaigns, the 6-3 guard connected on 41% of his three point attempts on a sky high 8.9 attempts per game. Well-regarded nationally with a consensus ranking of 83rd, but for my money, he's not regarded high enough. A Top-40 prospect for us in 2025, with more levels to hit as he polishes his finishing ability and handle. In for a big high school campaign as more offensive responsibility is put on his plate.

- Dean Rueckert mixing maturity with polish

In the summer of his rising freshman season, Rueckert put his mature approach on full display playing up at the 3SSB 16's level with Utah Prospects. The Utah native furthered his resume this past spring and summer playing against his peers, producing an efficient 18 points per game on 50% from the field and 46% from three to go with 4 rebounds and 2.6 stocks per game. A 6-7 wing with elite processing ability that's beginning to be reflected on the stat sheets through his assist to turnover ratio (3.67 AST to TO), free throw rate (17%) and event creation defensively. Pass, dribble, shoot ability paired with size and fantastic feel, he's steadily risen to Top-25 status in 2026. The Timpview (UT) wing is one of my favorite bets to break into the Top-15 of the class before long.

- Shelton Henderson's complementary skills

A Top-30 prospect in 2025, there's still plenty to clean up and polish for Henderson, but he's begun to carve out a variety of complementary skills to go with his slashing prowess. In a group crowded with prospects, the 6-6 wing generated 16 points, 3 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 stocks per game. The rugged guard converted 61% of his looks around the rim and has a knack for tilting defense largely because of his downhill approach. Because of it, he's grown quite adept at probing defenses to draw a rotation and make the right play from the heart of defenses. To go with the connective playmaking, he's an excellent rebounder from the wing and is tracking well as a multi-positional, hard-nosed defender. The next step is finding more consistency with his touch (32% 3PT, 57% FT), but the rest of his development is coming along at an impressive clip.

- Dhani Miller's CG trajectory

Miller burst onto the national scene this spring at the E15 level with the Georgia Stars after spending his freshman campaign playing with Montverde's Gold team. Now elevated to the varsity roster as a sophomore, Miller may crack the back-end of a loaded rotation. But don't get it twisted, the 6-3 guard is tracking at a high level. There's a unique versatility to his approach as a young guard, slotting in seamlessly as a spot shooter around older guys or stepping into a primary role against his peers and not skipping a beat. In 20 games with the Stars, he produced 17 points, 3 assists, 4 rebounds and 1 steal per game to go with 5 trips to the charity stripe per outing and 42% on all contested jumpers. Proficient scoring from all three levels, blends pace with patience and has a very promising process in the half-court as a combo guard prospect.

TRENDING DOWN